Trump Card: New Book Picks Apart The Empty Policies & Flawed Logic of Donald Trump As a Warning To The World

Posted on October 17, 2016 by Frostie

Trump Card: New Book Picks Apart The Empty Policies & Flawed Logic of Presidential Candidate Donald Trump As a Warning To The World

~ Trump: Monster or Hero by Mohammad O. Alanjari compares the Trump phenomenon as a disease which could spread across the globe and lead to a new generation of right-wing super-nationalist leaders ~

~ Trump represents the same demagogue archetype as Hitler and his investiture could lead to serious negative economic, social and military repercussions for all nations as well as representing a virtual ‘Jonestown’ suicide pact for the whole of the United States ~
The election of Republican candidate Donald Trump as the next President of the United States of America will spell catastrophe for the UK and Europe, experts warn.

Far from being a bumbling buffoon with wild hair, Trump is said to represents the latest and potentially most dangerous incarnation of an extreme right-wing demagogue, comparable to such vilified historical leaders as Hitler.

His manifesto has little or no basis in reality, it is claimed, and is a shameless attempt at winning popular votes rather than building a workable economic or political blueprint for America.

Trump’s apparent xenophobia and tendency to appeal to common prejudices, meanwhile, will only spark greater social divides, spur on extremist groups such as ISIS and the Ku Klux Klan, and like a “disease” fuel the rise of a new generation of right-wing leaders across

Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

That is, according to Trump expert and businessman Mohammad O. Alanjari, whose new book – Trump: Monster or Hero – reveals how Trump will inexorably damage not only political relations but also economic, military, technological and social ties across the globe if he succeeds in entering the White House.

Purposefully not a biography, Trump: Monster or Hero instead focuses on the Trump phenomenon, examining his policies and claims in relation to concrete facts and figures to expose the fallacies and empty rhetoric.

The x-page book also looks at where Trump is drawing his support and projects the likely repercussions both for the US, UK and rest of the world if the undisputed leading global powerhouse falls under his, or more likely his super-nationalist backers’, control.

Containing 50 original and informative infographics along with a wealth of little-known facts, figures, statistics and outrageous Trump quotes, this hard-hitting yet approachable book seeks to enlighten readers to the realities behind Trump’s campaign, debunking his thoughts on immigrants, terrorism and employment among others.

Author Mohammad O. Alanjari decided to write the book as a warning to the world, fearing for the future direction of the country that had once liberated his own homeland of Kuwait from Iraqi forces during the first Gulf War.

He said: “Trump as a phenomenon represents a disease in the same way as Hitler did before him. It is vital that people are woken up to the realities of Trump’s threat to the free world before his far-right polices and scapegoating spread across the United States and to other countries.

“Trump, however, is only a reflection of those who support him. He represents a thermometer of the moral and ethical standards of a nation, and has brought to the surface the prejudice and sectarianism that has been bubbling under within the population for some time.

“Yes, there are many issues that America needs to deal with to restore social harmony and generate better economic equality, but Trump is not the man to do this. He will only make things worse while some of his supporters, I fear, are only using him as a ladder to reach their own far-right goals and are forces he won’t be able to control.”

“The United States is the world’s most powerful nation. If Trump were allowed to pursue super-nationalistic policies and cut America off from the world, it would be a disaster leading the US to a virtual Jonestown suicide pact and having a major negative impact on Britain and Europe.”

Trump: Monster or Hero by Mohammad O. Alanjari is out now, published in paperback by Pin Mark Research Center and priced at £22.50, and as a Kindle eBook priced £7.68. Visit www.MonsterOrHero.com.

In Search of the Past – A visit to the Somme Part 5 by Penny Gerrard

Posted on August 26, 2016 by Margaret Graham

Lieutenant Colonel Harry Vivian Robert Hodson

The Gerrards and the Hodsons had completed a moving but successful first day travelling round the Somme and as our schedule only allowed us two days in the battlefield area we were up and about early on our second day, ready to find another one of Richard’s family members – this time his grandfather Harry Vivian Robert Hodson – Lieutenant Colonel of the North Staffordshire Regiment. He was second in command of the 15 Royal Welsh Fusiliers which landed in France in January 2016 and, after a period of training, deployed in trenches in the area of Laventie.

Mametz Wood across the field of Oil Seed Rape

Our first destination of the morning was the infamous Mametz Wood which stands much as it always did in the middle of open rolling countryside. What made it very different from how it would have looked on the day of the attack was the sea of yellow oil seed rape in which the wood now sat. Then it would probably have been a sea of mud. We walked up to the amazing red dragon memorial to the 15 Royal Welsh Fusiliers which sits on the small hill over which the battalion climbed before descending into the narrow flat area leading across to the wood.

The Red Dragon Memorial to the 15 Royal Welsh Fusiliers

The battalion took part in the attack on the wood as part of the Somme offensive, in the face of fire from both sides of the valley and from the heavily fortified wood. Even walking across the field towards the wood through the golden yellow flowers on a sunny early summer morning with birds singing all around us, I could still feel the atmosphere of that place. Standing where I was one hundred years before would have meant almost certain death. The battalion lost 12 officers and 252 other ranks killed or wounded in that offensive. A dreadful day.

“ Taken from the field the battalion crossed to reach Mametz Wood looking back at the memorial”

Lieutenant Frederick William Watkins

We had more of Harry’s Somme history to investigate later, but we had one more family member to track down first – Richard’s great uncle and the elder brother of his maternal grandmother. Frederick William Watkins was a Lieutenant of 36 Jacobs Horse, Indian Army. He was one of the survivors of the Great War so we were glad not to be searching for a grave or memorial. He fought at the battle of Cambrai from 20 November to 4 December 1917 and later in 1918 with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force against the Turks in Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq). He remained in the Indian Army after the war and was later discharged from the army in 1942 on medical grounds. He died aged 86.

“The Canal d’Escaut as it is today”

Richard was keen to visit the site of an operation which did not work out as planned in which his great uncle was involved and we soon found ourselves at a bridge across the Canal de L’Escaut at Masnieres. The canal was still and peaceful and we enjoyed a gentle walk along its banks before returning to the sturdy bridge near the Masnieres War Memorial to find a place to eat the baguettes we had thought to bring with us this time.

“No one does baguettes like the French!”

Richard described to us how, on 20 November 2017, Frederick’s first action as second in command of a cavalry squadron was to follow up the tanks and infantry on foot and bridge the Hindenburg Line where a breach was made to allow the Cavalry Divisions to exploit any break through. The task was completed by 11 am, under spasmodic shell fire, but the leading Cavalry Brigade appeared two hours late and the opportunity for a real breakthrough across the canal was lost. An information board by the modern bridge shows the embarrassing image of the first of the British 28 ton Flying Fox tanks proving too much for the bridge and sinking on the broken bridge towards the water below.

“The destruction of the bridge over the Canal d’Escaut”

From 29 November onwards Frederick was involved in dismounted operations to halt the German counter attack between Gouzeaucourt and Epehy in the area of Vaucellette Farm.

In Search of the Past – A visit to the Somme by Penny Gerrard Part 2

Posted on August 4, 2016 by Margaret Graham

2^nd Lieutenant Robert Charles Hodson

As I told you in the introduction to my story, we, the Gerrards and the Hodsons, had arrived safely in Lille and had prepared for our long awaited Somme expedition in May 2016. Finally we were on our way on the first day of our exploration, and were off to find the first of our destinations – the grave of 2^nd Lieutenant Robert Charles Hodson of the Royal Engineers 279 Railway Company who was killed in action on 8 May 1917 aged 29. We knew that Robert was buried at Nine Elms Commonwealth War Grave cemetery at Thelus near Arras. Robert was Richard’s grandfather’s second cousin. He went out to India as an assistant Engineer in the East India Railway but returned to England in November 1915. The detailed circumstances of his death were unknown. It was likely though that he was a casualty of the battle of Arras which took place between 9 April and 18 May 1917 and was a diversionary attack in support of the main French offensive at the Chemin Des Dames.

“The simple sign for the Nine Elms Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery”

Finding it was another matter of course and we were close to despairing until I was commissioned to try to explain what we were looking for in a local fruiterer, then to a motorist unloading his boot and finally at a chiropodist’s clinic. Finally we were steered in the direction of La Marie – one of the small town halls which feature in every French town and village. My French was being stretched well beyond its capacity by the time I realised that help was on its way in the shape of Monsieur Jean-Pierre Comblet and his friend who were lifelong experts in the local area and arrived ready to lead us to the Nine Elms Cemetery (easily identifiable by its eight elm trees by the way).

“The well-tended graves of Nine Elms Cemetery with today’s traffic passing by”

Soon we were rattling along a gravel track way out in the back of beyond, realising we would never have found it on our own and were finally inside the little military cemetery which strangely, sat right next to a major road but without any access from it. Like all those we saw it was beautifully kept – the rows of headstones white against the clipped green grass while low growing flowers softened each stone – lavender, roses, forget me nots. The outer walls were sheltered by the elm trees and a book listing all those buried there sat waiting for visitors in a little cubbyhole by the gate. We felt a sense of peace and tranquillity as we walked along the rows, reading the heart-breaking inscriptions until at last we found Robert’s grave. On it were the simple details of his name, regiment, the date he died and, at the bottom, above some purple primulas, the words “Romans VI:23 – The Gift of God is Eternal Life”. I could imagine his twin sister Marjorie, who had already lost her parents, choosing those words to remember her brother.

The grave of 2^nd Lieutenant Robert Charles Hodson in Nine Elms Cemetery

We were so grateful to our “Good Samaritans” for leading us to find this grave and their kindness was not finished. They insisted on our following them back to the village of Thelus where they presented us with a bullet and a piece of shrapnel (a small round ball) which Jean-Pierre had dug up in his garden over the years. I also left with a copy of his book on the history of Thelus wishing I could actually do justice to reading it.

The first stage of our journey had been a great success and we looked forward to the next stage, finding the memorial to Richard’s grandfather’s second cousin – Captain Walter Basic Haddon-Smith.

In Search of the Past – A visit to the Somme Part 1 by Penny Gerrard is here.

In Search of the Past – A visit to the Somme Part 1 by Penny Gerrard

Posted on July 27, 2016 by Margaret Graham

Frost Magazine is conscious that this year, 2016, marks the centenary of the The Battle of the Somme, which lasted from July 1st to November 18 1916, with huge loss of life. We are enormously moved and delighted that writer, Penny Gerrard, has written a series of features for us centred around this event, which we will publish over the following weeks.

In Search of the Past – A visit to the Somme Part 1 by Penny Gerrard

In May of 2014 the germ of an idea was born. Two couples met on holiday and hit it off. The two chaps’ conversation turned to military history and an ambition was shared: to visit the battlefields of the Somme to track down the sites where their family members had fought and, in some cases, died.

“The Hodsons and the Gerrards meet in May 2014”

It was clear that 2016 was going to be an important year – 100 years since this beautiful area of France was torn apart by the First World War. Boys and men on both sides battled in awful conditions and came home physically and mentally scarred, or failed to return at all, often with not even a grave to mark their passing.

It wasn’t long before research was under way. My husband, Francis Gerrard, was looking to visit the grave of his uncle, Gilbert Sexton, a private in the Buckinghamshire Battalion of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and wanted to establish just how he died. Was he gassed as had been handed down through the family for the past century?

Richard Hodson‘s ancestors were a very different kettle of fish with three of four being career soldiers to be tracked down – their ranks ranging from 2^nd Lieutenant, via Lieutenant, to Captain and, most senior of all, Lieutenant Colonel. Could he find out enough to enable us to visit the key battle locations as well as one grave and one memorial to those whose bodies were never found?

“Rendevouz at The Eurostar Terminal at St Pancras”

May 2016 saw both couples, Richard and Judy (no not them) and Penny and Francis, joining forces at St Pancras Station for what was to be our first trip on Eurostar. The train glided sedately through the Kent countryside, then dipped down into the tunnel under the channel before getting its second wind and revving up to full speed for the short dash onwards to Lille – our base for the next few days.

“Our hotel – The Bellevue in Lille”

Richard – a former serviceman himself – had planned our campaign with military precision and our first task was to requisition a vehicle – no easy matter as four of us tried to extract the most favourable terms for the car hire with three of us speaking English (loudly) while I spoke French (hesitantly). Setting off wasn’t without its problems either since the driver’s seat proved resistant to the necessary adjustments to accommodate Richard and his six foot something frame. Things were not helped by the Satnav stubbornly refusing to speak in anything but French despite the aid of a passing and somewhat astonished workman who was pressganged into assisting with both seat and Satnav. Richard was finally comfortable and I began putting my college simultaneous translation training into practice as I interpreted the Satnav from the back seat. We were excited to set off on our first day of exploration.

Gransthread on Kenneth Clarke’s overheard opinion on Theresa May.

Posted on July 21, 2016 by Margaret Graham

A ‘bloody difficult woman’. Compliment or Insult?

Recently Kenneth Clarke was overheard calling Theresa May a ‘bloody difficult woman’. So – insult, or a compliment?

I can’t claim to see inside anyone else’s head, but it was reported as an insult or if one is kind, an observation.

This is a label that has been directed towards me rather often, sometimes behind my back. Well usually, but I have ears like a bat, or a witch as some might say.

Without a doubt I take it as a compliment, because I feel I have earned such an accolade.

Why? A sense of self is hard fought for, and the confidence to stand one’s ground, when societal or peer pressure is urging one to shut up, and go with the flow, is a precious commodity.

It doesn’t make for an easy life, though, because it equates to putting one’s head above the parapet, but I thought I’d ask around for the opinion of other women across the generations.

Tracy Baines, one of our most successful short story writers, who has three grandchildren, and looks ridiculously young, or is it that she knows some magic elixir says:

‘Depends who is calling me difficult. I think older women are called difficult and younger women are labelled Prima Donnas or drama queens. When I was younger I would have seen it as detrimental but now I think it’s an asset. It’s said by men and women who don’t like it when you are not a pushover. Bring it on I say.

So today I asked a girl who is quite the other end of the spectrum, a mere fourteen. Meg said:

I would take it as a compliment. I have a right to an opinion, and though I listen to the opinions of others, if I disagree I will say so. I know I need to make sure I have a reason for the way I think, but in the end, I have a right to transfer my thought into words, even if others don’t like it.

Another, a mother, said:

I do think men and women have different attitudes. Women are more used to placating others, so tend to keep their opinions to themselves, or subsume their actions into those which will make few ripples. I think they then feel increasingly frustrated by this and as they get older they realize that they have earned their place in the world, and increasingly will not necessarily toe the line just because it is inconvenient for someone else.

So, where are we with this? Perhaps being what is classed as difficult disturbs the status quo? If so, let it. Change is usually good except for the lazy, the scared or the narrow minded.

So, a firm decision from across the generations that to be called bloody difficult is a compliment. As Tracy Baines says: bring it on and more power to our elbows.
Any opinions amongst our Frost Magazine readers?
Would love to hear them at frost@margaret-graham.com

“Obama Out” President Obama Makes Brilliant Final White House Correspondents’ Dinner Speech

Posted on May 4, 2016 by Catherine Balavage

Everyone who knows me knows I am a huge President Obama fan. I have read his books and I enjoy his speeches. I think he is the best President of my lifetime so far: progressive, intelligent, compassionate, witty, moral and articulate. Obama will be sorely missed and his speech at his final White House Correspondents’ dinner did not help. From the mic drop to the jokes, it was perfection. Goodbye Obama, I will miss you.

The Prime Minister Who Dodged Tax

Posted on April 23, 2016 by Catherine Balavage

I know what you are thinking. It’s Dave, right? Well, no. There is no evidence Prime Minster David Cameron has avoided tax. Not so one of his predecessors. In fact, one of the most well thought of Prime Ministers earned a fortune and used his power to dodge tax.

Winston Churchill made a substantial amount of money but he conspired with the chairman of the Inland Revenue to cut his tax bill. The Inland Revenue have two thick files on Churchill, but no one found out about his tax dodging when Churchill was alive. In fact, the only newspaper I have read about it in is the amazing Sunday Times. In an article written by David Lough, author of No More Champagne: Churchill And His Money.

You only have to read Churchill’s archive to find out that Churchill was not as patriotic as one would think. He was happy to pay tax for the first 40 years of his life, even supporting Lloyd George’s introduction of a super-tax. But as soon as he was rich enough to be affected by it he seemed to change his mind.

When Churchill was Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1924 he owed £400,000 in todays money but could not pay. He personally called on the Inland Revenue Chairman Richard Hopkins who sorted the issue out for him. Hopkins went off and found out that if Churchill retired as an author on the last day of the tax year, fees paid the following year could be treated as capital receipts not income. Capital receipts were not taxed. Churchill did so.

This was not the last time he called Hopkins to his office and Churchill resumed writing. He dodged much more tax and the Inland Revenue barely put up a fight. In 1945 he made £6 million from selling film rights to his books, all of which went untaxed. The IRS would not have any of it however, and Churchill’s executors had to settle with the American tax authorities after his death.

What do you think? Did you know that Churchill dodged tax?

30 Days of Gratitude Day 22 #30daysofgratitude

Posted on March 22, 2016 by Catherine Balavage

Today the world woke up to the terrorist attacks in Brussels. It seems that a week does not pass without some awful terrorist attack somewhere. Last week it was Istanbul where a suicide bomber killed three Israelis and an Iranian. Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon said that Turkey is “awash with terrorism” and the President Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey would use all its military and intelligence might to battle “one of the biggest and bloodiest terrorist waves in its history”. Why is this in my gratitude series? It is a good question, but a harder one was what to choose to be grateful for today. The flip side to terrorism, to death and pain is joy and life. I am grateful for that. For kindness, for every breathe. Today as I watched the news of the terrorist attacks in Brussels on the BBC I looked at my nearly one-year-old son. As he watched the screen he did not know what was happening. He was just fascinated by the lights and the noise. A panic started to rise in me. What kind of world is my son growing up in? The thought made me feel sad and I felt even more protective towards this beautiful little bundle.

But we must find the positive. The beauty in life. We must carry on and not let the terrorists win. They want us to be scared. To feel fear and change our behaviour. To hate each other and be sad. But we won’t. We will persevere. We will find the joy, the love, we will carry on with our lives. Today I am grateful for that.

Catch up on other days:

Day 1.
Day 2.